National Television Awards host Dermot O’Leary has confirmed he is quitting his role at the helm of the annual ceremony.
The TV star – who first fronted the prestigious ceremony in 2010 – has confirmed he is quitting his role, and revealed plans to pass “on the baton” next year.
In a statement shared on Instagram and Twitter, he said:
“After 10 years of proudly hosting the National Television Awards, I have decided it’s time to step down as host.
“It’s been a tough decision because we have had a ball over the last decade, but 10 years feels about right.
“I would like to thank Indigo and my ITV family for a brilliant ten years and look forward to proudly passing on the baton in 2020… and a holiday in January!”
The announcement comes after Dermot had joked he would call time on his run hosting the show if Geordie duo Ant & Dec claimed their 18th consecutive prize in the Best TV Presenter category.
He quipped:
“If they win it, having not been on television, we may as well just chuck in the towel.”
Dec Donnelly laughed at the pair’s pal’s comment during their acceptance speech, as he teased:
“Special mention to Dermot who said he was going to chuck the towel in if we won this year so … happy retirement Dermot!”
Dermot has since opened up about his banter with the ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’ stars and revealed they were going to have a catch up soon.
He said at the time:
“The NTAs were a lot of fun and that is a joke I have been making for the last five years.
“I texted Ant and Dec like about 20 minutes after the show.
“I just said ‘thanks for that’ and they went ‘we couldn’t resist it, lets have dinner in a couple of weeks.’ “
